ASTRADHARI: THE ADVENTURE OF TEJAS AND VIDUR

Amidst the soaring mountains of the Himalayas, lived a great Yogi Rishi meaning A sage that is well versed in spiritual matters). His name was Gorakhnath, a sage that left all human, materialistic, and emotional desires to achieve Moksha (T/N: Enlightenment or Liberation)   After years of  severe focus and meditation, Gorakhnath finally achieved true enlightenment and learned the true meaning of life itself.   Soon, Gorakhnath traversed down from the mountains and reached a nearby village. The village wasn't anything sort of extraordinary. It was an ordinary village with humble and peaceful villagers. Gorakhnath decided to stay in the village for a while. Many people came to him, a sage to listen to his preaching. And so, he did, gorakhnath accepted a few villagers as his disciples and started to preach what he learned through his years of experience of self-cultivation. Soon, the entire village had become his student. Gorakhnath lived there for several years and taught the villagers about Life.   Years passed and Gorakhnath decided to leave the village to preach his findings to more people. He ventured off alone leaving all of his disciples behind.   As the silhouette of their guru (Master) disappeared on the horizon, The villagers wept and sang about him. The village chief, one of the biggest disciples of Gorakhnath, to honor his Guru changed the village's name to "Gorakhnath" which later turned into "Gorakh". Time flew like a charm and...   The seemingly ordinary village became one of the most renowned Kingdoms over all lands. Many various strong warriors and Hunter’s born in Gorakh Kingdom through many generations.   many centuries later Gorakh become one of the powerful kingdoms.   The Kingdom of Gorakh was rich in terms of all aspects. They had outstanding warriors in their military, Vast forests, Tons of minerals and ores, a well-flourished trade system, and an overall great economy, but the main source of economy was mercury. Gorakh became increasingly popular throughout the decades and would surely develop even more... ...   In the eastern part of Gorakh was a vast forest with hundreds of animal species. The forest was also the home to two villages called 'Gotihawa' and 'Goraha'. Despite their size, the number of people living there was surprisingly low. But despite their small number, both of the villages had everything required to suffice their needs. The villagers were kind-hearted, cooperative, and extremely diligent. The villagers also had a variety of professions they pursued. Farmers, pujari (Priests), Vaidya’s (Doctors), hunters, artists, craftsmen, and many more. Gotihawa and Goraha each had their unique specialties.   The Gotihawa was well-versed in matters relating to Spiritual matters, doctors, brahmins, farmers and Ayurveda (T/N: the traditional system of Hindu medicine )   while the Goraha had skilled hunters, craftsman and weapon Smith .   The warriors of Goraha carried a Dhanush(bow) and a Khukuri (T/N: A curved machete, more notes at the end). The village had around 40 skilled hunters who were masters in using traps.   Gotihawa and Goraha had a stable relationship of cooperation, goodwill, and trade. As for the security of both villagers, the hunters of Goraha took care of it.  Among these hunters, there were two that stood out like sore thumbs. Why? Because of their skills alone. These two hunters, Raj and Ram were formidable enough to kill groups of tigers and lions.   Raj was tall, bulky, and muscular. He had rough dark wild hair and eyes of the same color along with a large beard and moustache which in itself was terrifying. He looked like a fierce warrior.   On the other hand, Ram had a fit lean body and almost no facial hair. He had long slick black hair neatly tied behind his head. his eye color is brown and he has a calm face.   Raj was the brawns who fought at the Frontline with his Khukuri with enough strength to slice a wild boar. Meanwhile, Ram was the brain that used a bow with terrifying accuracy at the back. Ram and Raj could be called the leading hunters of the entire village. One day, when Ram and Raj returned from hunting. The news of a vicious and huge black scar tiger entered their ears.   "Can you explain everything that happened?" Ram asked one of the villagers talking about the incident.   The villager nodded and explained everything. Apparently, in the morning 5 vaidya went to the forest for collecting some herbs and on the way , they were attacked by a large black scar tiger. The tiger killed 3 of them in a matter of seconds.   As the other two were about to die, A golden deer, the guardian beast of the forest appeared and saved them. It temporarily fended off the Tiger and saved the lives of the two vaidya.   Hearing this incident, Ram asked another question. "Did any of the hunters take care of the black Scar Tiger?"   "Yes, A team of 13 hunters did take off immediately to kill that tiger but they haven't returned yet." The villager shrugged helplessly as Ram started to think deeply. Later that day, the 13 hunters returned with heavy faces. Nobody had died but the injuries on their bodies were quite serious.   But they also make scar face tiger more wounded, tiger lost 1 eye and got more flesh wounds in the body. The villagers quickly tended to their wounds and heard the story of how they managed to injure the tiger but it ran away.   Hearing this, Ram and Raj decided their next move. Early in the next morning, As the duo was getting ready to leave, two women approached them. "Dear, Do you really have to go?" raj wife ganga and ram wife rita both suddenly ask question I am one of strongest hunter in this village, that is my duty to protect ours village and other village as a protector we have do it. both raj and ram give there wife’s same answer. After hearing answers from their husbands both wife’s knows they can only boost there morale, so they goes to outside and pickup pujathali ( prayer plate then performing arati hindu ritual) apply tilak on their forehead. then both Rita and ganga say Vijaybawa meaning achieve victory they say for there husbands. "Don't worry My love. We won't fail." ram replied "Yes! We will hunt that black scar Tiger without fail." jay replied The husbands persuaded their wives before they spotted two young boys peeking at them from a distance. Both of them smiled a little before leaving, just as they left the village's gate, Cold Killing intent flashed in their eyes. Tejas and Vidur, the two young boys looked at the backs of their fathers. Tejas was the son of Raj while Vidur was the son of Ram.   both raj and ram leave the village gate.  The villagers prayed for the victory of the two hunters as they entered the territory of the vicious giant black tiger. ... The tiger was massive. Half the size of an actual elephant. Its body was full of many scars. It looked more vicious than anything a normal human would ever see. It had a deep scar on its left eye which made it look like something that struck fear in the hearts of any man. Yet, Ram and Raj entered its territory full of courage. Raj took out his Khukuri meanwhile Ram prepared his bow.   Under the light of the bright sun, they charged valiantly towards the black Scarred tiger as it also roared and approached them. *Roar...!!* The loud roar of the black Scar Tiger had truly marked the beginning of the battle. ___________  Translator's notes: Khukuri: A recurved machete used in Nepal. It's more suitable for chopping but it's sharp enough to cut through skin like tofu. It's also a great weapon for Self-defence. Vaidya: Doctor Pujari: Priest Tilak: a mark, generally made on the forehead, indicating a person's sectarian affiliation